Hongo vs. seta vs. champiñón
The Spanish language has several words for 'mushroom', each with subtle differences in use and meaning. Specifically, 'hongo', 'seta', and 'champiñón' are commonly used terms that refer to varieties of fungi, although they are not always interchangeable.
Hongo
'Hongo' is a general term in Spanish that refers broadly to any fungus or fungal organism. It includes all types of mushrooms, as well as other non-mushroom forms such as moulds and yeasts.
El pan tiene hongo porque se dejó afuera por mucho tiempo.
(The bread has mold because it was left out for too long.)
Los hongos pueden ser beneficiosos para los ecosistemas.
(Fungi can be beneficial for ecosystems.)
En la farmacia venden crema para tratar los hongos de los pies.
(They sell cream at the pharmacy to treat foot fungus.)
Seta
'Seta' refers specifically to the fruiting body of some fungi, typically those that grow above ground or on wood and are often considered edible. In some regions, 'seta' may refer to wild mushrooms.
Fuimos al bosque a recoger setas comestibles.
(We went to the forest to pick edible wild mushrooms.)
Las setas son un ingrediente popular en la cocina otoñal.
(Mushrooms are a popular ingredient in autumn cuisine.)
Debes tener cuidado al identificar setas silvestres para evitar las venenosas.
(You must be careful when identifying wild mushrooms to avoid poisonous ones.)
Champiñón
'Champiñón' typically refers to the common button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus), which is widely cultivated and used in cooking. It can sometimes be used more broadly for similar cultivated edible mushrooms.
Para la pizza voy a necesitar champiñones frescos.
(For the pizza, I will need fresh button mushrooms.)
Los champiñones son una buena fuente de vitaminas y minerales.
(Button mushrooms are a good source of vitamins and minerals.)
A menudo, los champiñones se incluyen en ensaladas y sándwiches.
(Button mushrooms are often included in salads and sandwiches.)
Summary
'Hongo' is a broad term referring to all fungi, including molds, yeasts, and mushrooms. 'Seta' generally denotes the fruiting body of certain above-ground growing fungi and is commonly associated with wild edible varieties. 'Champiñón' usually applies to button mushrooms, frequently found in grocery stores and used in a culinary context. Understanding these distinctions can enrich one's culinary vocabulary as well as aid in proper identification during mushroom foraging.